Hubert Green: A Champion On and Off the Golf Course

June 20th 2018

By Dr. Tony Parker, World Golf Hall of Fame Historian

Hubert Green passed away on June 19, 2018 at age 71.

Between his quick humor and fierce determination on the golf course, Hubert Green was a force with whom his fellow golfers had to face. His mental toughness helped him compete and win against some of the icons of the game and future Hall of Fame Members like Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Raymond Floyd, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson.

Green won 19 times on the PGA TOUR, including two Major Championship titles – the 1977 U.S. Open and the 1985 PGA Championship. He represented the United States on three Ryder Cup teams and was undefeated in singles play.

He was known to have one of the best short games in golf and he made the big putts using his hickory-shafted blade putter, but it was his steadfast fortitude that won him tournaments. One of the most extraordinary obstacles that Green had to face happened at the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills.

Green was leading the tournament by one stroke in the final round when officials stopped him on the way to the 15th tee informing him that a threat had been received claiming three men were going to shoot him when he reached the 15th green. He was given the choice of suspending play for the day and return on Monday without the crowds, delaying play to clear the green of spectators at the green or continuing play. He chose to continue.

He said, “I was a little more nervous playing the 15th hole... As soon as I hit the putt, I knew I had left it short. I also knew that I hadn’t heard a gunshot. I said out loud, ‘Chicken,’ and I wasn’t talking about leaving the putt short.”

He went on to win the championship.

Hubert Green faced challenges away from the golf course as well. In 2003, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. After going through radiation and chemotherapy that summer, he rejoined the PGA TOUR Champions the following year.

Having faced those difficulties, Green felt the need to help others. Participating in hundreds of charity tournaments and fundraising events, he helped support a wide range of causes including childhood cancer and cerebral palsy.

Though he will be missed, his life both on and off of the golf course will forever be remembered within the World Golf Hall of Fame.